Gelephu Mindfulness City Set to Integrate Digital Assets into Strategic Reserves

Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), Bhutan's Special Administration Region, has revealed its plans to integrate digital assets, including bitcoin, ether, and BNB, into its strategic reserves, marking a significant step toward economic innovation.

This move positions GMC as a potential trailblazer, becoming one of the first regions globally to formally adopt cryptocurrencies as part of its official reserves. The goal is to enhance the economic resilience of the region, complementing its current activities in bitcoin mining, a move announced on Wednesday.

The project, launched by King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, is a bold sustainable development and economic initiative located in southern Bhutan, covering over 2,500 square kilometers near the India-Bhutan border. GMC’s proximity to a population of more than two billion people uniquely positions it as a key player in the promotion and support of blockchain technology.

While the region mentioned BTC, ETH, and BNB, it also indicated a broader scope for recognizing other digital assets with substantial market capitalization and liquidity to ensure smooth trading with minimal price impact. Moreover, GMC intends to favor assets on secure, mature blockchains that enable transaction monitoring.

This strategic reserve move follows the passage of GMC’s Application of Laws Act in December, which laid the legal groundwork for digital asset services. Additionally, in March, GMC will host a high-profile gathering of global leaders and government officials to explore further recognition of digital assets as official reserves.

Notably, Bhutan, already a leading nation in bitcoin holdings, ranks fifth globally with 12,211 BTC ($1.2 billion). This is only behind countries like the U.S., China, the U.K., and Ukraine, according to Bitcoin Treasuries data.

Unlike most nations that acquire bitcoin through seizures, Bhutan has mined its holdings, utilizing its vast hydropower resources for environmentally-friendly mining. GMC’s announcement aligns with growing global interest in digital assets, especially amid speculations about other countries preparing for similar national reserves ahead of U.S. political developments.